A charter was granted for the Clearwater Methodist Episcopal Church by the State of Kansas. The first pastor was Rev. John L. Rose. The following charges on the Clearwater Circuit were New Sweden, Mayflower, and Independence.

For fifteen years, services were held in the Presbyterian or Baptist Church. Land was purchased from the Clearwater Building and Loan Association for $250. An abandoned creamery in the northwest part of Clearwater was bought, moved to S. Lee, remodeled, and became the first building owned by the Methodist Church. New Sweden Methodist Episcopal Church and Silver Creek Church disbanded. The memberships transferred to the Clearwater Church.

Independence Church disbanded and most of its congregation transferred to Clearwater.

The growing interest in Sunday School and church was straining the room availability. There were five classes being held in the sanctuary. The men’s class was meeting in the bank and the class of nine year olds was taught in the kitchen.

The Women’s Society had money from sausage suppers, chicken dinners, and doughnut days and voted to purchase lots for a new church building. They first secured an option on two acres of pasture for $500. Later the land was purchased at a cost of $1,862.

A ground breaking ceremony was held under the leadership of Rev. Richard Hardesty.

The first phase of construction was completed and final payment made.

The last phase of building began.

Corner stone was laid on Easter Sunday.

The 75th Anniversary. The Consecration Service in the new sanctuary.

The church sponsored a Cuban refugee family. A furnished house was ready for them and the first month's rent paid as a part of the "Flight for Freedom" program. Laureano & Ana Prieto and their son and daughter became a part of our church family. Berd Daferner, from Germany stayed with the Don Wise family. Marcia Maechtlen, from our church, went to Germany as part of the International Christian Youth Exchange program.

The church held a ceremony to burn the mortgage on the new building. That same year, a parsonage was purchased at 600 E. Hellar. The first parsonage was located at 151 S. Lee.

The name of WSCS was changed to United Methodist Women.

Total full church membership was 531.

There was a need for additional church space. The children's Sunday School classes were already crowded and all of them were combined groups. There were four adult Sunday School classes held each Sunday in Fellowship Hall. Architects were hired along with a building committee appointed. The corner "Murphy Home" was purchased by two members of the congregation and donated to the church. That same year, a birthday party for the Clearwater United Methodist Church was held to celebrate 100 years in the community.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Family Life Center.

Consecration Service for the new Family Life Center. The three former ministers were present: Charles (Chuck) Winkler, Duane Dyer, and Jim Hlad. Rev. Martin Holler read the statement of purpose for the service. The congregation moved to the new building, where John McMillen presented the building to the church. Chuck Winkler led the Act of Consecration Service and Rev. Holler gave the closing prayer.

After eight years of hard work by church members, the loan of the Family Life Center was paid down, but still had a balance to be paid. With the sale of the church parsonage, along with additional contributions, the church bulletin proudly announced that the Family Life Center was now paid in full.After eight years of hard work by church members, the loan of the Family Life Center was paid down, but still had a balance to be paid. With the sale of the church parsonage, along with additional contributions, the church bulletin proudly announced that the Family Life Center was now paid in full.

Family Life Center Mortgage Burning Celebration

125th Anniversary Celebration